5 Must-Haves for a Western-Themed Party
August 19, 2015
You don’t have to live in Arizona or New Mexico in order to throw a Western-themed party. In fact, it’s even more fun in Maryland where the closest thing to the Wild West is probably the Texas Roadhouse (considering that many don’t even include Texas in the Wild West states). Whether you are planning a back-to-school party, a college party, or your birthday is coming up, the Western theme is sure to create a memorable experience. But remember to make use of these Western party must-haves to achieve maximum authenticity.
Cowboy Gear
Think about what everyone is going to wear. Cowboy gear is the most obvious choice for a Western-themed party. Cowboy hats are an unspoken requirement, but if you want to go further, cowboy boots, scarves, vests, plaid shirts and leather pants will make for a more complete costume. You can even assign roles to each of your guests and have them dress up as a sheriff or an outlaw. Or you could have people dress up as famous cowboy-themed movie characters. Draw inspiration from Indiana Jones or Clint Eastwood westerns. And don’t forget about accessories, such as whips, guns and lassos. A fake mustache, anyone?
Wanted Photo Cutout
You would definitely want to take some photos of everyone in their cowboy outfits. Why not turn these photos into the famous Wanted poster? You can order a Wanted frame cutout from sites like Etsy or make one yourself. Just make sure you have someone with steady hands to take the pictures! It is much cheaper than renting a photo booth and your guests will have a lot of fun posing for their Wanted photos.
Mechanical Bull Rides
No Western-themed party is complete without a mechanical bull ride. This is the ultimate piece of entertainment everyone at your party will enjoy. The great part about mechanical bulls is that anyone can ride them regardless of age and ability. The speed and other settings can be adjusted based on who is using it, so you don’t have to worry about tipsy guests getting hurt or kids getting scared. And if you live in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC or Northern Virginia, you are welcome to rent your mechanical bull from Buckin’ Wild. We’ll set it up, ensure safety during the party and pack it up at the end—you won’t have to worry about a thing!
Authentic Food
You have many options when it comes to food. If you are curious about what they ate in the Wild West in the late 1800s, don’t get your hopes up—it’s nothing fancy. Beans, bacon, omelet, toast, corned beef and potatoes are hardly party foods these days. If you are going for something low-key, then Sloppy Joes, mashed potatoes, hot dogs and cornbread will satisfy your guests’ hunger. But if you want something more elaborate, you are welcome to borrow from the Mexican cuisine and serve tacos, burritos, quesadillas, carne asada or whatever else you like. After all, the cowboy culture, always considered to be a true American phenomenon, is actually largely influenced by Mexican cattlemen.
Simple Setting
It’s best if your Western-themed party is outdoors, because there’s just not much you can do inside that captures the spirit of the Wild West. If you do have a nice outdoor space, such as a backyard, use bales of hay as seating and cover your tables with a simple fabric tablecloth. Burlap or linen will do, or you can get creative and sew together a bunch of colorful paisley-print bandannas. Set up a sandbox for the horseshoe game or get a live horse or a pony if you are hosting a kid party. If they won’t ride it, they will at least enjoy petting it.
Do you have a clear vision for your Western-themed party now? Get in touch with Buckin’ Wild and let us know your dates, so that we can reserve your mechanical bull for you!